Why still no HC bench, they ask

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Advocates and advocate clerks here on Wednesday observed the fourth anniversary of the second phase of agitation demanding  reinstatement of the High Court Bench in the capital city by boycotting courts across the district. “The march and boycott of courts will remind  the higher authorities, including Central Government and Supreme Court, of how seriously the state views the issue,’’ said Opposition leader V S Achuthanadan, while inaugurating  the march in front of the Secretariat.  “The Central Government should take necessary steps for reinstating the High Court Bench in Kerala’s capital city,” urged senior Congress leader V M Sudheeran while addressing the gathering. “The issue should be addressed seriously and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy should convene an all-party meeting on the issue once again,” he said.  “No force can turn a blind eye to the agitation which started 66 years ago for a cause which is totally justified,” said CPM state committee member and former Law Minister M Vijayakumar.   “We are certain that many, including a  section of the judiciary, is against the High Court Bench coming to Thiruvananthapuram,”  alleged A Sampath MP while addressing the gathering.  UDF district convenor K Mohankumar, CPI National Executive member Pannian Raveendran, BJP district president Karamana Jayan; K P Jayachandran, chairman of the Action Committee for reinstatement of the High Court Bench in Thiruvananthapuram; convenor Vallakkadav G Muraleedhran and other senior members of Bar Association also spoke on the occasion. The march which started from the ‘Satyagraha pandal’ in Vanchiyoor was led by the Action Committee office-bearers and members of the Bar Associations of Thiruvananthapuram, Nedumangad, Kattakkada, Neyyattinkara, Varkala and Attingal joined the protest.